Nintendo Labo: VR Kit lets players experience virtual reality while using cardboard controllers.
So far, 2019 has been jam-packed with big video game releases, from Kingdom Hearts 3 and Resident Evil 2 in January to Yoshi’s Crafted World in March. While April’s calendar is a bit less packed than those of recent months, there are still some big-name games coming out in April for families to enjoy together, and for adults to enjoy when littles leave the room.
Nintendo Labo: VR Kit
Rated E10+
Appropriate for: Kids 7+ who are interested in virtual reality
Nintendo Labo: VR Kit is the fourth entry in the Nintendo Labo series (the Variety, Robot, and Vehicle Kits were released in 2018). It lets kids and adults construct six new Toy-Con controllers out of cardboard (a blaster, camera, elephant, bird, wind pedal, and the VR goggles) and then try dozens of different games and experiences in basic virtual reality. Kids can use the camera to take pictures of underwater creatures, shoot aliens with the blaster, and much more. Nintendo said the VR component is only appropriate for kids 7 and up, but parents can turn off the VR feature and let younger players try the kit’s games and experiences in 2D. For more information on Nintendo Labo: VR Kit, check out our list of some of the many games and activities it will include.
Great if your kids love: Other Nintendo Labo kits, building things
My Time at Portia
Rated E10+
Appropriate for: Older kids who are comfortable using console controllers
This life simulation game will allow players to grow crops, take care of animals, craft items, mine for materials, loot dungeons, fight monsters, and interact with Portia’s citizens, all while trying to restore their Pa’s workshop. Players will be able to form friendships with the town’s residents, and even get married, if they’d like.
Great if your kids love: Stardew Valley, Harvest Moon: Light of Hope, Minecraft
Mortal Kombat 11
Rated M
Inappropriate for young teens and children
Mortal Kombat 11 is the latest entry in the popular fighting game series, which has been no stranger to controversy over the years. This new installment is full of over-the-top violence and gore, and has earned an M rating from the ESRB, meaning it contains content that’s been deemed inappropriate for players under 17. The game’s ESRB rating contains content descriptors for “Blood,” “Intense Violence,” and “Strong Language,” and you can see a glimpse of the game’s mature themes in the trailer above.
Try These Games Instead: Soul Calibur VI, Power Rangers: Battle for the Grid
Days Gone
Rated M
Inappropriate for young teens and children
In this action-adventure game, players will become a bounty hunter named Deacon, who must fight for survival in a dangerous post-apocalyptic world filled with enemy creatures called Freakers (humans who were infected with the virus that caused the end of the world), as well as hostile humans and animals. Players will be able to explore a large open world and collect materials that they can use to craft new items, while the game’s combat system will let them deal with threats using a variety of weapons, traps, and more. Days Gone has earned an M rating from the ESRB, with content descriptors for “Blood and Gore,” “Drug Reference,” “Intense Violence,” “Sexual Themes,” and “Strong Language.”
Try These Games Instead: Horizon: Zero Dawn, Minecraft
Full List
Noteable kid- and teen-friendly titles are in bold.
Disclaimer: Release dates can change at any time
Monday April 1, 2019
Darkest Hunter, Switch
Tuesday April 2, 2019
AngerForce: Reloaded, Switch, Xbox One
Darksiders: Warmastered Edition, Switch
SpellKeeper, Switch
FAR: Lone Sails, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Power Rangers: Battle for the Grid, PlayStation 4
Sword & Fairy 6, PlayStation 4
Serious Sam: Tormental, PC
Wednesday April 3, 2019
Bow to Blood: Last Captain Standing, Switch, PlayStation VR, Xbox One, PC
Shadow Blade: Reload, Switch
Borderlands: Game of the Year Edition, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Thursday April 4, 2019
Pitfall Planet, Switch
The friends of Ringo Ishikawa, Switch
Mechstermination Force, Switch
War Theatre, Switch
OVERWHELM, Switch
SMASHING THE BATTLE, Switch
Hob: The Definitive Edition, Switch
Skorecery, PlayStation 4
We Happy Few: Roger & James in They Came from Below [DLC], PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
Friday April 5, 2019
Yet Another Zombie Defense HD, Switch
Super Dragon Ball Heroes: World Mission, Switch, PC
Monster Slayers, Switch
Circuits, Switch
Zombie Scrapper, Switch
Frane: Dragons’ Odyssey, Xbox One, PC
Smoots World Cup Tennis, Xbox One
Tuesday April 9, 2019
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy, Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
Zanki Zero: Last Beginning, PlayStation 4, PC
Dangerous Driving, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
Falcon Age, PlayStation 4, PlayStation VR
Vaporum, PlayStation 4
Wednesday April 10, 2019
Cook, Serve, Delicious! 2!!, Switch, Xbox One
The Mystery of Woolley Mountain, Switch
Switch ‘N’ Shoot, Switch
Vaporum, Xbox One
Thursday April 11, 2019
Back to Bed, Switch
Shadowgate, Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Vaporum, Switch
Bot Vice, Switch
Super Star Path, Switch
Way of the Passive Fist, Switch
Earth Defense Force: Iron Rain, PlayStation 4
Friday April 12, 2019
Nintendo Labo: VR Kit, Switch
Street Basketball, Switch
Monday April 15, 2019
One Finger Death Punch 2, PC
Tuesday April 16, 2019
My Time At Portia, Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Final Fantasy X / X-2 HD Remaster, Switch, Xbox One
Tanks Meet Zombies, Switch
World War Z, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
Heaven’s Vault, PlayStation 4, PC
World of Warships: Legends, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Ghost Giant, PlayStation VR
Table of Tales: The Crooked Crown, PlayStation VR
Wednesday April 17, 2019
Truberbrook, Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Thursday April 18, 2019
Anniversary Collection Arcade Classics, Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
Cuphead, Switch
Katana ZERO, Switch, PC
Overcooked! 2: Campfire Cook Off [DLC], Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
God’s Trigger, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
Monday April 22, 2019
Jupiter & Mars, PlayStation 4, PlayStation VR
Tuesday April 23, 2019
Mortal Kombat 11, Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen, Switch
Thursday April 25, 2019
SteamWorld Quest: Hand of Gilgamech, Switch
Friday April 26, 2019
Moero Chronicle Hyper, Switch
UglyDolls: An Imperfect Adventure, Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
BOXBOY! + BOXGIRL!, Switch
Days Gone, PlayStation 4
Tuesday April 30, 2019
Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age, Switch, Xbox One
Travis Strikes Again: No More Heroes DLC:02 Bubblegum Fatale [DLC], Switch
Fade to Silence, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
